Moral character could slow violence

This week, our hearts go out to the victims of yet another mass shooting — this one in Parkland, Florida. These events have become all too common in recent years and always lead to a discussion of how to make schools more secure; perhaps by installing fences or metal detectors or through tougher gun control. But perhaps a larger security issue is being missed in the national media.

The Ten Commandments used to hang on the walls of our public schools, courthouses and other civic institutions. They were widely accepted throughout America as embodying universal laws that should be universally obeyed. Among other things, they taught that murder is not only an offense against society – but against God. A generation that believes and accepts these commandments is a security unto itself. We are experiencing the first generation that has grown up without them.

Surely there’s a connection between what we teach our children and what happens in society. The Ten Commandments are the bedrock of western civilization and are needed for a civil and decent society. Others may disagree, but events cannot be ignored.

Machine guns have been around for a long time – mass shootings in schools are new in American history. We may not currently be able to put the Ten Commandments back into public schools; but we can surely observe them and teach them to our own children and grandchildren. Let’s do that, while praying for the time when society will, once again, accept, believe and embrace them.

David St. Martin, Bremerton

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